North Branch Campaign - Quick Contact

In the previous campaign simulation (South Branch Campaign), when opposing units met on a map they usually stopped out of sight of each other. Players would receive a report that the enemy was nearby, but did not have much information. They would need to do reconnaissance, make contact, and decide what to do from there. This was time consuming in the context of turns.

In the North Branch Campaign, when the two sides meet on the same map, there will be immediate contact between skirmishers. Each player will indicate their lead brigade / skirmishers, which will be out in front of the main line and make initial contact with the enemy. Artillery and sharpshooters may also open fire from a distance if they have a clear line of sight. If prisoners are taken during the skirmishing, it may eventually provide some early intelligence about the enemy if the enemy OOB has been determined through previous encounters and intelligence.

Units that are moving onto a map will have the option of choosing an aggressive stance. With an aggressive stance, the lead divisions will attempt to push back the enemy skirmishers and engage any enemy main line before the enemy can fully respond to their presence or call up re-enforcements. Units that are defending a map will be able to set their divisions' formation in the event of such an attack.